'Hong Myung-bo's first opponent' Czech Republic announces final World Cup roster... includes 191cm striker with 90 Bundesliga goals [Official Announcement]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Czech Republic, the first opponent of Hong Myung-bo's team in the 2026 FIFA North, Central America and Caribbean World Cup group stage, has finalized its 26-man roster for the tournament. Under head coach Miroslav Kubeck, the Czech national team has completed its squad by excluding candidates who competed until the final moment.

The Czech Football Association announced the final roster on the 1st (Korean time) via its official website, comprising 23 field players and 3 goalkeepers. Coach Kubeck held a press conference just one hour after securing a 2-1 victory over Kosovo in a friendly match on the 31st, delivering the news of the final roster.

According to the association, Kubeck stated in an interview, "This was the most painful and difficult moment of my coaching career. After in-depth discussion and analysis, I had to inform three players of their exclusion. All players who agonized over being left out fought fiercely until the very end to prove their worth. While some had to face defeat, every player who competed, including Adam Hložek, delivered excellent performances."

The Czech national team announced this time is centered around players from the domestic league. Of the total 26 players, 17 are domestic players, while 9 are active in overseas leagues. Notably, 10 players were selected solely from Slavia Prague, the country's prestigious club and reigning champion, forming the backbone of the national team. Half of the Slavia Prague players, five in total, were concentrated in the defensive line. Among overseas clubs, Germany's Bundesliga side Hoffenheim contributed the most with three players: Vladimir Coufal, Robin Hranáč, and Adam Hložek.

Notably, the roster includes 18-year-old rising star striker Hugo Souček (Sparta Prague).

The weight of the veterans is also evident. Tomas Souček (West Ham United), a midfield core with 89 international caps, assumes the role of de facto leader, while Vladimir Darida, who dramatically returned to the national team in March after nearly five years, adds his rich experience of 78 matches.

The front line is led by star striker Patrik Schick (Bayer Leverkusen), who has scored 25 career goals. Schick is a 191cm tall striker who has netted 90 goals and provided 16 assists in 171 Bundesliga matches.

The Czech Republic, returning to the World Cup stage for the first time in 20 years since the 2006 Germany World Cup, will play a final warm-up match against Guatemala in New Jersey, USA, on the 5th. Following that, they will face Hong Myung-bo's team in their group stage opener on the 12th in Guadalajara, Mexico, before taking on South Africa and host nation Mexico in sequence. Coach Kubeck expressed strong confidence, stating, "We are not satisfied with merely participating in the World Cup. Our primary goal is to definitely advance from the group stage."

FW: Patrik Schick (Leverkusen), Adam Hložek (Hoffenheim), Tomáš Horák, Mojmír Chytil (both Slavia Prague), Jan Kuchta (Sparta Prague)

MF: Tomáš Souček (West Ham), Pavel Šulc (Lyon), Lukáš Provod, Michal Sadílek (both Slavia Prague), Vladimír Darida (Hradec Králové), Hugo Souček (Sparta Prague), Lukáš Červ, Alexander Sojka, Denis Vácha (all Viktoria Plzeň)

DF: Vladimír Coufal, Robin Hranáč (both Hoffenheim), David Doudera, Tomáš Holeš, Štěpán Halovský, David Jurásek, David Zima (all Slavia Prague), Ladislav Krejčí (Wolverhampton), Jaroslav Zelený (Sparta Prague)

GK: Ondřej Štanc (Slavia Prague), Matěj Kovář (Eindhoven), Lukáš Horníček (Braga)

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*This content was translated by AI.